On October 28, 2021 at the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), Dr. Kritsada Prapakorn, Deputy Executive Director of MTEC, Dr. Sarawut Lerspalungsanti, Research Team Leader of Design and Industry Solutions Research Team, Engineering Design and Computation Research Group of MTEC, together with the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), and Suprera Innovation Co., Ltd. had delivered the ‘PETE’ Patient Isolation and Transportation Chamber to Kamphaeng Phet Hospital to support the medical personnel against COVID-19 and the ‘HI PETE’ Patient Isolation Chamber for Home Isolation to Mr. Parinya Laowachirawong, Secretary of Kamphaeng Phet Mayor, to use in the field hospitals in Kamphaeng Phet Municipality.
Dr. Kritsada Prapakorn, Deputy Executive Director of MTEC, said that MTEC aims to apply science and technology to foster innovation that can be further developed to benefit the economy and society of the country. During the on-going COVID-19 outbreak, MTEC research team had developed the ‘PETE’ Patient Isolation and Transportation Chamber to prevent the spread of the pathogens during a patient transfer. The PETE chamber can be put into the X-ray machine and CT scan since it does not contain any metal parts. The patients, therefore, are not required to move out of the chamber in contrast to other devices. It also helps reduce the chance of the spread of infection to various medical equipment and air conditioning systems within the hospitals. That is to say, if the medical personnel use the PETE to move patients from place to place, it will not only help limit the spread of infection but also reduce the risk towards the medical personnel and other people in the hospital. Currently, MTEC had signed a licensing agreement of the PETE with Suprera Innovation Co., Ltd., for further development to support Thai research and reduce dependence on medical devices from abroad. As of October 2021, MTEC had delivered the ‘PETE’ to support the medical personnel, operators, and volunteers of various agencies, totalling over 50 hospitals.
On this day, one set of the ‘PETE’ was financially supported by the National Research Council of Thailand, and the maintenance services would be provided by Suprera Innovation Co., Ltd.
The other device that has been handed over is the ‘HI PETE’ or Patient Isolation Chamber for Home Isolation, which is a tent for isolating patients for Home Isolation. It was designed to be used for “green” patients who need to be isolated at home but have no separate room, or used for field hospitals to isolate or quarantine patients who are at risk of spreading respiratory infections. The ‘HI PETE’ is a low-cost device, but its performance meets international standards. The tent is lightweight and easy to relocate. Its size can be adjusted to fit into the room. It also has a window for patients to communicate with the medical personnel, thus reducing the spread of infections between patients and the medical personnel, as well as the medical equipment.
In this event, Mr. Pawat Vitoorapakorn, Cheif Executive Officer/Deputy Cheif Executive Officer of Research and Development Business of Eastern Polymer Group Public Company Limited, has also given various accessories to be used with the ‘HI PETE’, including aeroklas beds, mattresses, sheets, pillows, and blankets.